England also remained undefeated in the final European Championship qualifier of this campaign. Gareth Southgate’s considerably changed team had a difficult time visiting North Macedonia and fell behind just before half-time. Substitute Harry Kane, who was initially spared, was involved in the equalizer within two minutes of his entrance, which was scored as an own goal by North Macedonian Jani Atanasov: 1-1. The English were already certain of winning in Group C. Italy took second place with a 0-0 draw against Ukraine and will also go to the European Championship.
England had already comfortably qualified for EURO 2024 and that is why Southgate used the international break to give many different players playing minutes. His team changed in six places compared to Saturday against Malta (2-0 win).
Manchester City’s Rico Lewis made his debut for the England team as a left back. As against Malta, Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold was tested as a defensive midfielder. Kane was replaced at striker by Ollie Watkins.
Need a goal? Call ?????????? ???????! ?? He is on the field for 1 minute and seems to head in immediately, or is it an own goal by Atanasov? ??#ZiggoSport #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/StAxucKAT2
— Ziggo Sport Voetbal (@ZS_Voetbal) November 20, 2023
England seemed to have the game under control before half-time, already creating The Three Lions not many opportunities. After fifteen minutes, Declan Rice shot onto the post via Stole Dimitrievski’s fingertips.
Just before half-time, English debutant Lewis was penalized for a hand in the face of Bojan Miovski after a VAR intervention. The penalty that followed was taken by Enis Bardhi. The hard effort was spectacularly saved by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, but Bardhi was still able to finish the rebound: 1-0.
Two minutes after half-time, Jack Grealish’s goal was disallowed for offside. Southgate brought in star player Kane to put things in order and did not regret it.
Kane needed less than two minutes to score the equalizer. Bayern Munich’s top scorer was almost found via a corner kick from Phil Foden, but it was ultimately Atanasov who gave the final push, an own goal: 1-1. England did not get many more chances to score the winning goal. Fifteen minutes before the end, Harry Maguire saw a promising header turned away.